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Something to think about, as yet there has been no link in research between Brain or Cord Lesions and symptoms found in MS.To add to that many of the MS symptoms are also found in other diseases such as Chiari Malformations, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and many others.The findings of diseases such as CPn in Micro-Biology studies has been rather high, C. pneumoniae and MSPCR/S Results• Relapsing remitting MS: 17/17 (100%)• Progressive MS: 19/20 (95%)• Overall MS: 36/37 (97%)A quote;"The most common stealth infections we have studied and found amongst fatiguing and neurodegenerative diseases are Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma and Borrelia burgdorferi."

CONCEPT OF STEALTH INFECTIONSSubmitted by Bec Mills

As a Soft Tissue Therapist I treat varying musculoskeletal aches and pains that are commonly associated with muscle tightness and postural imbalances. However when the cause of symptoms are complicated or ‘unknown’ as commonly found with autoimmune conditions, it can be hard to find treatment that works. My interest in chronic illness stems from my father having Bipolar disorder and my grandmother passing with Alzheimer’s. This interest became my passion, after meeting a patient who had been successfully treated in the U.S for her chronic pain condition Fibromyalgia. The news gets better, because the evaluation and treatment this patient underwent is not common practice here in Australia, I had an excuse to travel to the U.S and meet with leading field experts to learn more.

In an interview, Dr Nicolson explains to me that chronic infections can lead to auto-immune problems, disorders involving the central and peripheral nervous systems and play havoc with nerve transmission. The infection process causes damage to cell membranes which leads to fatigue, loss of energy, loss of ability to perform functions, and can impair our ability to think, remember, understand and sleep.

“Stealth infections are in general bacterial infections but in some cases can be viral infections. They get inside cells and hide inside cells and can’t be seen by the immune system. The most common stealth infections we have studied and found amongst fatiguing and neurodegenerative diseases are Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma and Borrelia burgdorferi. These intracellular bacteria have different life forms, some of them are free swimming, some of them are inside cells, some of them are metabolically active and some forms are metabolically inactive. When they are metabolically inactive they are very difficult to find. Their genetic signature is not as strong.”

According to Dr Nicolson, when these underlying infections are identified they can be treated with a number of therapies such as combination anti-biotic therapy and addressing dietary requirements to boost the immune system. “Stealth infections are best identified by molecular means, such as examining DNA. They aren’t picked up in routine lab tests.”

This fits my thinking because of how my body is reacting leading up to day 8 on ABx.I am finding that the body felt increases in symptoms is mirroring the way I progressed in reverse.I have the belief that there is a body/muscular infection that has occurred at the same time or just before the lesions on my brain and spine became visible on MRI. I had MRI's done over 18 months and there was no sign of lesions and then at about 20 months from the first symptoms the lesions were seen. Its as though the infection was happening in places where I had recent injuries and that became established and was also able to cross the BBB at the same time. I have been wondering how to prove the occurrence of injury and then symptoms and finally lesions?Paul Thibault is there any other cases where injury was the first part of the clinical history. On TiMS Dr Flanagan has seen many patients who have had a history like mine and I believe that the thinking of CCSVI reflux has been used to focus on MRI Lesions as being the cause of symptoms totally without supporting evidence linking the two.

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Hello Nigel/NZer1,"no Clinical link, MS symptoms and Brain Lesions" is probably true for white matter lesions. However, grey matter lesions could be more important in diseases like MS. Cheerleader has posted about grey matter and how her husband's GM lesions are radically changed after venoplasty. Suggest you follow threads/papers on GM lesions. The lack of good correlations between WM lesions and MS progression/disability is part of my logic of treat symptoms. Venoplasty/vit D/immune regulators/antibiotics/atlas/diet/vein health should be considered for pwMS. MS is a multifactorial disease so consider all options if you have the means to do so.Kind regards,MarkW

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